In response to the original poster. Really you'd want to have 1500 pic tucked in the book but, 1000 at least. It's a long road to command otherwise. If you look at the requirements to hold an ATPL that's a good guideline.

In response to the original poster. Really you'd want to have 1500 pic tucked in the book but, 1000 at least. It's a long road to command otherwise. If you look at the requirements to hold an ATPL that's a good guideline.

I would get enough hours so that you can comfortably be employed in a decent utility job which pays roughly the same money as an FO gig. At least that way if the industry takes another turn downhill you at least have that to fall back on.

At the moment there are a bunch of very experienced FO's (lots of FO time but minimal PIC time) scratching to get any flying or unemployed as a result of the oil and gas industry shedding a bunch of staff in the downturn the last few years.

Keep your options open. That's not to say that you 'couldn't' get a dream run as a very junior FO and work your way into a captaincy within the one company, but it doesn't leave you many options if the industry turns to custard again.

The junior FO's that have probably been the most successful in the industry taking an FO position with low hours are the guys/gals on the CHC RAAF SAR contract.

Though keep in mind it could also be a double edged sword not jumping on the train when the majors do their next big round of hiring FO's i.e. Once they fill up then you may have missed the cycle for the next 7-8 years to get into a heavy.

havick wrote:hough keep in mind it could also be a double edged sword not jumping on the train when the majors do their next big round of hiring FO's i.e. Once they fill up then you may have missed the cycle for the next 7-8 years to get into a heavy.

Would those said positions not be filled by the unfortunates of the great cull of 2016? Is/will the work be there again?

havick wrote:hough keep in mind it could also be a double edged sword not jumping on the train when the majors do their next big round of hiring FO's i.e. Once they fill up then you may have missed the cycle for the next 7-8 years to get into a heavy.

Would those said positions not be filled by the unfortunates of the great cull of 2016? Is/will the work be there again?

Not necessarily. The one thing I've learned about this industry is that nothing is a given.